Typically two pairs of wings in adult: forewings (hemelytra) are partly thick and protective, and partly membranous

Wings at rest are held flat over the body, and have apical portion (tip) crossed - a distinctive characteristic

Scutellum (triangular portion of thorax exposed between base of wings along midline) is prominent. Beetles may also have a prominent scutellum.

Mouthparts are a piercing or sucking "beak" arising from front of head

Antennae with 4-5 segments

Many have thoracic scent glands

Range

Worldwide

Habitat

Many terrestrial and freshwater habitats

Food

All non-heteropteran members and most Heteroptera feed on plant juices; among Heteroptera, there are many exclusively predatory families (esp. aquatic and semi-aquatic) and major predatory groups in other families. Some suck vertebrate blood. Some are major agricultural pests.

Life Cycle

Auchenorrhyncha and Sternorrhyncha usually have three life-stages: egg, nymph, and adult - and some have prepupal and pupal stages. Some groups are ovoviviparous (eggs hatch inside female, and young are born live).

Heteroptera have gradual or incomplete metamorphosis (no pupa stage); juveniles (nymphs) resemble adults except they usually have reduced wings and are incapable of flight.

See Also

Beetles (Coleoptera): forewings all leathery (not subdivided) and meet in a straight line down the middle

Internet References

Photo identification guide(6) (covers British Isles but may be useful in many ways)

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